Khoresht Karafs (Celery Stew with Mint, Parsley and Dried Lime)

January 8, 2012

I first tasted this dish at last month’s book club. It’s a Persian celery-based stew that is typically made with lamb, but our lovely, accommodating host, made a vegan version for those of us who don’t eat meat.

This soup is light and deeply flavorful. It’s composed of celery, mint, and parsley. But my favorite ingredient is the dried lime. It adds a richness, a tangy spice, that is hard to describe. Hold a dried lime to your nose and you’ll see visions of powdered citrus and old, wooden spice cabinets. It’s amazing and is what makes this stew so special.